Two women are expected to be charged after Lithgow Correctional Centre officers allegedly intercepted two separate attempts to smuggle 400 strips of buprenorphine into the centre over the weekend. It is alleged an 62-year-old woman was in the company of children when she attempted to smuggle 137 strips. ‘Bupe’ as it’s more commonly called is used as a heroin replacement and is currently estimated to be worth about $200 per strip in a maximum-security centre. In an unrelated incident on Sunday, a 21-year-old woman allegedly attempted to pass 287 bupe strips, hidden in coloured balloons, to an inmate. Both inmates have been placed in segregation pending further inquiries. Lithgow Governor Mick Dudley said the incident was one of two over the weekend in which inmates’ family and friends allegedly tried to smuggle ‘bupe’ – worth approximately $80,000 collectively. “It was thanks to our officers’ careful inspection of visitors’ suspicious behaviour that the contraband was spotted,” Mr Dudley said. “The more bupe and other contraband seized by staff means the less circulating among inmates, which ensures a safer and more secure correctional facility.” Commissioner Peter Severin said these incidents were another reminder for all prison visitors that CSNSW would not tolerate contraband smuggled into the state’s correctional centres. “The consequences are very strong and visitors caught bringing contraband into prisons face penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and other drug-related charges,” Mr Severin said. “Another penalty is a ban on visits of up to two years.” Read more CSNSW stated staff were proactive and undertake targeted and random searches every day for illegal items on inmates, visitors, cells and all common areas. Daily searches are backed up with the assistance of the elite Security Operations Group and their highly trained K9 unit, which make regular targeted random searches of the state’s prisons and visitors. While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.

CSNSW stated staff were proactive and undertake targeted and random searches every day for illegal items on inmates, visitors, cells and all common areas.

Daily searches are backed up with the assistance of the elite Security Operations Group and their highly trained K9 unit, which make regular targeted random searches of the state’s prisons and visitors.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.